Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
The Centre has extended the deadline for duty-free imports of 1 million tons of raw sugar under the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) scheme to December 31, 2026, to ensure adequate domestic supplies during the festive season and protect consumers from a potential price hike.
According to a notification issued by the Finance Ministry, the deadline has been extended by two months from the earlier date of October 31. The government had initially approved the duty-free import of 1 million tonnes of raw sugar on August 20.
The decision comes amid a downward revision in sugar production estimates, raising concerns over domestic availability as consumption typically increases during the festive season.
The extension will provide Indian refineries and importers with additional time to procure raw sugar from international markets, helping strengthen the domestic supply chain and prevent any unexpected surge in prices.
The move is aimed at maintaining a sufficient stock of sugar in the domestic market and ensuring that increased seasonal demand does not put additional pressure on consumers.
